Big Interview
Marina Circuit which opens its doors
twice a week to cyclists, runners and
walkers who can experience a few
laps of the famous race track – all free
of charge.
Abu Dhabi has just completed an
extensive renovation of the Qasr Al
Hosn Fort and Heritage site just off
the Corniche.
Also, do not miss the Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque that has recently been
voted as the world’s second favourite
landmark by TripAdvisor.
a safe and welcoming environment,
superb global transport links and
an easily accessible platform for
reaching the sizeable Middle East and
African regional market.
We have had success with some
strong global brands including VIV
agriculture event, Informa’s Cityscape
Real Estate event and CPhI’s Middle
East and Africa pharmaceutical
exhibition - all establishing their
regional base here at ADNEC.
We are in discussions with other
organisers to bring similar global
brands to ADNEC. The local market
is also very strong and many
international organisers now set up
regional offices here to capitalise on
this.
Organic growth is also on our
agenda. Having had many years of
success in the defence sector with our
IDEX event, the in-house organising
division of ADNEC Group has recently
launched the Abu Dhabi International
Boat Show to much acclaim. Set to
return this October, the event, which
launched in 2018, attracted over
21,000 visitors and had 96 boats on
display in our Marina facility. The
team will follow up this success with
other launches and joint ventures
planned for 2019.
Abu Dhabi has many new
attractions for international
delegates to visit now after show
36
Issue 1 2019
Above:
ADNEC reports
organisers have
been setting up
regional offices
in Abu Dhabi to
capitalise on the
local market
“We are
seeing new
developments
in areas such as
sustainability,
renewable
energy,
innovation,
healthcare and
education”
hours. Which attractions would
you recommend visitors to sample
while in the emirates?
Abu Dhabi is the jewel in the crown
of Arabia. We have the perfect blend
of ancient tradition, Arabian heritage,
modern architecture, a thriving
mix of nationalities and some of the
most wonderful art and cultural
experiences available.
Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its
doors to the public at the end of 2017
and has since established itself as a
must-see attraction. The stunning
architecture, hovering over the azure
waters of the Arabian Gulf, houses
one of the finest collections of art and
antiquities, not just in the region, but
anywhere on earth.
Abu Dhabi is a desert land and
there is nothing like seeing the
endless expanse of sand dunes. The
best way to experience the desert is to
take part in a desert safari in a 4x4.
You’ll have an amazing experience
with the backdrop of the Empty
Quarter – the largest sand desert
on earth. Then, as the pace slows,
you will get to take part in more
traditional cultural activities like
falconry, camel riding and henna
artwork.
Yas Island is our entertainment
district, with attractions such as
Warner Brothers Studios, Yas Water
World and Ferrari World.
Why not visit the Abu Dhabi F1
Finally, what would be your
New Year wishes for the global
exhibition industry for 2019?
I hope that our industry is also
part of the solution when it comes
to many of the issues in the world
today, particularly with sustainable
development goals.
Already we host many events in
support of these efforts: We are just
getting done hosting the World Future
Energy Summit, which is part of Abu
Dhabi Sustainability Week, and in
September we will host the World
Energy Council in Abu Dhabi.
But I am talking beyond that, about
how we can be a part of the solution
by setting an example, by making our
buildings more energy efficient and
by lowering our carbon footprint.
As an example, of the 1,510 tons
of waste we produced in 2018, we
recycled 777 tons of materials or
51% of all our waste materials. Our
recycling target was 34%. Our ‘No
food waste’ campaign has diverted
55 tons of food waste from landfill
thanks to our Liquid Food Compost
machine.
We have also produced 530 litres
of biodiesel to run the ‘bucket’ and
‘scissor’ lifts and other machines
around the facility.
We have a 1,000sqm solar panel
farm atop the Abu Dhabi National
Exhibition Centre’s Car Park B that
produces energy to run its elevators.
So we are trying to lead the way by
example and, again, it is part of the
innovative culture we are striving for
at ADNEC.
w w w.exhibitionworld.co.uk